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Does anyone have experience using two way radios (brand/type?) to monitor their RV while they are visiting some attraction (museum, exhibit, indoor & outdoor, etc.)? We'll be traveling with two dogs and wanted to have some sort of monitoring ability while we are off looking at some attraction in the immediate area with the dogs in the RV.

We've been RVing with dogs since 1999. We have never even considered what you are asking about. I question the need.

If you COULD find a radio monitoring system to do what you want you would probably have range limitations (5 miles?).

When we're in Kissimmee, FL at a campground and want to visit any of the local Orlando area attractions, we lock the coach, close the windows, make sure the air/heat is set properly and go. Dogs will generally sleep for much of the time you are away. Cats? They don't care.

Anyway, if you were 12 miles away AND you COULD receive a signal AND you heard the dogs barking, what could you do?

We've been RVing with dogs since 1999. We have never even considered what you are asking about. I question the need.

If you COULD find a radio monitoring system to do what you want you would probably have range limitations (5 miles?).

When we're in Kissimmee, FL at a campground and want to visit any of the local Orlando area attractions, we lock the coach, close the windows, make sure the air/heat is set properly and go. Dogs will generally sleep for much of the time you are away. Cats? They don't care.

Anyway, if you were 12 miles away AND you COULD receive a signal AND you heard the dogs barking, what could you do?

Lew Mann

I appreciate all the responses. Regarding the need - I'm just super cautious, new to RVing and exploring the options. We have a Class B and generally wouldn't ever be very far away from the coach. I previously searched a number of RV boards on the subject and didn't find much discussion on the topic (very likely an strong indicator that its a non-issue for most people). However I'm seriously interested in installing audio monitoring at a minimum and may end up incorporating visual as well. Its become something of a hobby/project as part of an overall RV security interest.

I previously checked out baby monitors which unfortunately are designed for very short range (within a typical house) and not workable range-wise. It looks like I'm going to need to have some custom modifications made to some off the shelf components to get it done.

We travel with our dogs in a 5th-Wheel and get a great deal of fun from them. When we first started, we'd spend time in the camper in our driveway with our dogs. Packing, eating, reading... I'd walk out for a few minutes (stay within hearing range) and then return. Don't make a big deal of it, act like you're home. To them, it's just another room to sleep in. I leave the TV on. I check with the campground neighbors and they always say they don't hear any noise from our dogs. I guess it worked.

We RV full time. We have 2 dogs and have never had a problem with leaving them alone. Our female bulldog goes up and gets on the bed and sleeps while our corgi, a pup, is in his crate. In the last 3 years we have had 4 different dogs that were with us and it's just like at home, when we leave they just sleep. If your worried about the dogs barking then you can leave a radio on as to drown out outside noises. But we have never had a problem with them barking.

I always leave the radio or TV on, similar to home and normal background noise. If not sure, get a crate, maybe put up a gate if that helps...As said before, practice before you leave...I didn't and my oldest freaked and took out the screen on the bottom...not pretty...

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